Magical Midlife Battle （Leveling Up, #8）(52)

“It’ll be fine. I’ve got you,” Austin told her, his hand on her hip. “Brochan, Tristan will help you all get settled. We’ve got a meeting with Kingsley and the top tier of his pack tomorrow morning to go over this whole situation. We don’t need you until then.”

“I’ll get my stuff stowed and meet you at the bar, sir,” Brochan said, correctly assuming he’d head to the bar for drinks instead of staying in the restaurant. Murder sparkled in his eyes. “Text me the location.”

Austin didn’t argue. A little backup from a shifter of Brochan’s caliber would send the right message.

“I’ll head back to check on the mages once I get everyone squared away,” Tristan said. “Natasha

made one helluva lasagna. She’s gunning for your cooking prowess, sir.”

“Tell her to keep practicing,” Austin told him, starting off toward the car.

Tristan laughed, heading for the vans.

“We didn’t have any problems at the house today,” Jess said as they walked. “I don’t think anyone is going to break in and go after them, do you?”

“Very doubtful, but it gives our people something to do until we can iron out the specifics with Kingsley. At least he agreed to keep the invisible patrol on the perimeter. We’ve got some eyes out there that they won’t see. Now we just need those enemy mages to check the perimeter so we can grab one or two of them. We need more information.”

He tucked her into the car and drove them to a spot on the outskirts of town. It was a hole in the wall with a few shabby tables outside, badly listing to one side or the other. The sign flickered, half of it out, and the front door had red paint peeling off to show dingy brown beneath. For all that, the food was out of this world. Or it used to be, back in the day.

“I’m glad to see this place is still running,” Austin said, finding a parking spot two doors down from the restaurant.

The interior was nothing special. The wood tables had carvings on them, various initials and a couple of phallic symbols. Pictures decorated the walls in old frames, and the counter had a rusty metal bell. Five out of the six tables were occupied by young shifters Austin thankfully didn’t know.

The couples sat close, feeding each other bits of meat and looking longingly into each other’s eyes.

Wrapping an arm tightly around Jess to show his claim, Austin stopped with her at the counter and softly struck the bell. It clanged, having lost the ability to ring somewhere along the way.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be there in a minute,” a familiar voice called from behind a hanging blue cloth. It separated the kitchen from the front area.

“This was my favorite restaurant,” he told Jess, leaning against the counter and pulling her closer.

“It’s the best barbecue I’ve ever tasted.”

“Better than yours?” she asked.

“Hands down—”

“No!” The owner stepped through the curtain. Angelica was way up in years, with white-gray hair cut short and deep lines etching her face. She stooped a bit, her spine no longer arrow straight, but her eyes were no less kind than he remembered. “Austin Barazza! I heard you were in town. Come here, boy.”

She walked slowly around the counter with her arms out, a small smile on her round face.

Knowing Jess wouldn’t bat an eye at the greeting, he wrapped Angelica in a tight hug and rocked her a little before rubbing her back and stepping away.

“I’m glad to see you’re still up and running,” he said, slinging his arm around Jess’s shoulders.

“Well, of course. What else would I get up to? My, my.” She looked him over, her eyes twinkling.

“You look great, Austin. It does me good to see you again. We’ve missed you around these parts.”

“I don’t think that’s a sentiment widely shared.”

“Bah.” She batted her hand through the air. “Anyone who matters missed you. Now, who have you got there?”

“Angelica, allow me to introduce my mate, Jacinta Ironheart. Most people call her Jessie.” He looked down at her. “Jess, this is Angelica, the woman who ruined barbecue for me.”

“Oh now, don’t say that.” Angelica laughed and shuffled a little closer, putting out her hand for Jess. “I’m sure yours is even better, Jessie. Good to meet you. I’m glad this sweet boy finally found someone special. If you treat him nice, he’ll treat you like a queen. And if you treat him mean, he’ll

still treat you like a queen, so you can be as moody as you want.”

Jess laughed and took her hand before being pulled into a hug. Angelica finally stepped back and patted their arms, looking between them.

“Yes, what a lovely couple. Lovely! Now, Austin my boy, what’ll ya have? The usual, or a dinner for two?” She retreated back to the other side of the counter.

Austin ordered his favorites and a few things Jess might like to try, then spent some time chatting with Angelica about his new setup in O’Briens and the crazy that was Ivy House. When the food came, he retreated to one of the open tables and pulled Jess’s chair close. They fed each other from their plates like the other couples were doing.

“Yes, this is amazing,” Jess said after trying the brisket and licking her lips. “Absolutely amazing.